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In 1996 when the city of Atlanta was awarded the Olympic Games there was much rejoicing. City planners felt that Downtown Atlanta and bordering Midtown would finally have their day in the sun and saw Atlanta rising from the ashes to become a truly international city. It took some time, but that day has finally arrived.

The Midtown skyline started to see tremendous growth in the late '80s with the addition of many businesses and a handful of high-rise apartments and condos. Athletic facilities constructed for the Olympic Games were donated to Georgia Tech University and Georgia State University. For the first time GSU would have housing for its students. In 2006, the Atlanta College of Art merged with the Savannah College of Art and Design with campuses located in Midtown. Suddenly the number of the young, the hip and the fashionable were all over the city looking not only for shopping and fun, but also places to live. The areas surrounding Piedmont Park were already bulging at the seams and traffic grew nightmarish.

The zip codes of 30309 and 30308 needed a new Midtown infrastructure and needed it fast. First came the outdoor shopping area called Atlantic Station, which seemed to pop up overnight. Anchoring it are Dillard's, Target and Ikea. It also has a fancy movie theater, high-end boutiques and lots of specialty shops. Mid-rise apartments came next and then townhouse communities and even a brand-new fire station.

Now the growth on the other side of the freeway has really picked up steam. In the past two years the number of high-rise apartments has almost doubled and there isn't a day that goes by that we don't hear a jackhammer. It seems that there was a tremendous demand for luxury living in the city and that call has been answered. Many of the high-rises boast gourmet kitchens, resort-style swimming pools, 24-hour security and concierge services.

There are many things to love about Midtown. It is home to the Woodruff Arts Center, High Museum of Art, great restaurants like Veni Vedi Vici and Piedmont Park. It is extremely dog-friendly with the hotels such as the W Midtown and the Artmore hosting cocktail parties for pets and their people. We especially like Midtown's proximity to Ansley Park with its shady parks and stunning historical homes. The best part, though, it is truly a walkable community near public transportation with direct access to Hartsfield-Jackson International Atlanta Airport. There is no need for a car and it is one of the city's more bike-friendly sections.

Midtown also plays host to many yearly events such as the increasingly popular Dragon*Con and Gay Pride. For those who love the nightlife, who like to boogie, Midtown is your town.